(A) All property within the corporate limits is served by the municipal fire department. As such, the municipal fire department will respond to all fire protection calls within the corporate limits of the municipality. In addition, the Fire Department provides other secondary programs in addition to the core service of fire protection. In certain cases, based entirely upon the idiosyncracies of the specific situation, the municipal fire department may call for assistance from other agencies, including the fire departments of neighboring communities, in order to protect the public from harm. The Fire Department is funded primarily through local property taxes and other local revenues, however, supplemental funding of various types is sometimes sought.
(B) From time to time, the Fire Department may, with the approval of the legislative and executive branches of the city government, set service goals for the department. In most cases, these service goals relate to objective performance standards, facilities and resource capabilities which affect the cost of insurance to properties within the service area. Generally, these parameters are measured by an "ISO" accreditation system, with higher ISO ratings resulting in lower insurance costs.
(C) There is no statewide statutory standard for fire protection services provided by municipalities in Indiana. Instead, each municipality must determine the level of service which represents a reasonable balance between cost and benefit when each annual municipal budget is crafted. The performance goals of the Fire Department are determined in a general manner and the public can be informed about these performance standards by calling the Fire Department.
(D) The Fire Department also maintains funding at the municipal level for the addition and replacement of fire protection facilities and equipment. As the city grows, it is expected that fire protection facilities will necessarily be reconfigured to provide the most efficient and responsive fire protection network for the citizens of the municipality, and a portion of the facilities necessary to meet such needs will be paid through these cumulative funds.
(Ord. 24-2002, passed 8-5-02)